Average 5er life span.....rust

[Hooligan House]

Is there an average life span for 5ers? For Excel? This is for FT use. We're thinking when we get out of this last year of sticks & bricks, & time clocks that we'll be FT for 8-10 years....or more? (Hopefully more!) Financially we see having to get our choices right the first time as we don't anticipate doing upgrades. We were thinking of the RT 28RKO, but after stopping at Couler Valley RV last month on our way home from Wyalusing in WI we're looking at the RT30RKE. We want to stay shorter for backroads & state parks & think this may be the fit for us.

When we were going in units on the lot Larry noticed more than one unit had rust starting on the latch that holds the outer door to the body in the open position. Hmmmm is this 'normal'?

Linda

[Hooligan House]

Is there an average life span for 5ers? For Excel? This is for FT use. We're thinking when we get out of this last year of sticks & bricks, & time clocks that we'll be FT for 8-10 years....or more? (Hopefully more!) Financially we see having to get our choices right the first time as we don't anticipate doing upgrades. We were thinking of the RT 28RKO, but after stopping at Couler Valley RV last month on our way home from Wyalusing in WI we're looking at the RT30RKE. We want to stay shorter for backroads & state parks & think this may be the fit for us.

When we were going in units on the lot Larry noticed more than one unit had rust starting on the latch that holds the outer door to the body in the open position. Hmmmm is this 'normal'?

Linda

[rockintom]

We ask the lifetime question (in fulltime use) of the dealer we purchased our from and he said average is 3 to 4 year turn around. Like everything else, just all depends on your maintenance, exterior care and your expectations. Some trade every year some every 8 years. Some trade in to get the new amenities and accessories!

We been in rigs a year old that look like he** and others 5 years old (like clspds) that looks BETTER than new (not FT). It's amazing what a little TLC, wax and a vacuum job on the carpet every once in a while will do for the appearance!

The metal door latches get surface rust within a few weeks. Normal. Looks kinda bad, don't it? If you go and look a dealer's inventory they all have it. I have spoken...Sir Knowitall. Now you guys got me doing it!!

[Highgturn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The metal door latches get surface rust within a few weeks. Normal. Looks kinda bad, don't it? If you go and look a dealer's inventory they all have it. I have spoken...Sir Knowitall. Now you guys got me doing it!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What door latches are you talking about? I don't have any rust on anything that I know of.

[ExcelRVGuy]

The latches mentioned are the door stops that are used to hold the entry door open and to hold the lower front storage door open.

We realize that the rust is a visual dislike. Before going to the zink plated, we used the only other style that we have been able to find.... plastic. We had so many complaints of the plastic latches breaking that we decided that a little rust was the lesser of two evils.

Our National Trade show is in November, I will direct my Purchasing Manager to put "new door latches" on his list of new item to source.

Thanks for the reminder.

Bryan

PS... I hope everyone has a great Father's Day!

[WldKargo]

Bryan:

Has anyone tried clear coat on the metal door catches? I am going to clean up mine and try this and it could be done as a factory treatment prior to installation, perhaps...

Cheers,
Chris and Helen

[M&S Norrell]

Ours came rusted from the factory. Changed them out to the white plastic ones... Look much cleaner and 18mo. later no problem with them. Changed latch @front storage also. CW carries both kinds and same price either way.

[Hooligan House]

Thanks much for all the comments. This sure IS a learning experience!

[Bruce and Jenna]

Three years?

Eight years?

I'm living FT in this thing. I planned to use it for my coffin, putting the money I save on the box and the hearse charge to buy another plot or two for the longer grave.

In the mean time, what wears out that people only get 8 years or so? Surely repairs on appliances, slides, carpet, and even the exterior cost less than a new trailer.

[motojavaphil]

Linda, You have a very good question. Folks tend to sell after four years for the newest and greatest. The Excel is well built. I would imagine as it ages the amount of PM begins to show. A shingled roof on a house needs to be replaced after 10-15 years, you have fiberglass, so the top is a good bet. Walls are fiberglass as well. Keep the caulk going and you will be fine. Tires need to be changed every 5-7 years, axles and brakes need looking after routinely. Batteries tend to need replacing. Interior decor gets worn and needs to be replaced like a house. Hotwater heaters, ac, fridge, microwave will eventually need replacement. Carpets will need replacement. Slides will wear out along with their seals. I see these items no different than a regular home and barring water damage or something unusual why should it not last. Its all about maintaining, replacing and cleaning as needed. I see a lot of 20 year old RV's and older going about business.
Just some thoughts, hope they help, Phil

[Hooligan House]

Thanks for the feedback--the last 2 are especially encouraging! I'm really trying to research this (some of my friends say I'm researching it to DEATH)as we imagine living with our choice of unit for many, many years. Future replacment of microwaves, chairs, etc are anticipated, but we don't see just trading in to upgrade or because we decide we don't like the decor.

What's the age of some of the older FT units out there?

And Rockin Tom...does the rear kitchen present extra challenges in packing, storage? Is there different suspension/shocks to compensate for the rear kitchen?

Linda

[Bruce and Jenna]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by motojavaphil:
Slides will wear out along with their seals. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Do you mean the slide mechanism, or just the wall seals and maybe hydraulic seals and hoses?

[rockintom]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hooligan House:


And Rockin Tom...does the rear kitchen present extra challenges in packing, storage? Is there different suspension/shocks to compensate for the rear kitchen?

Linda </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Linda,
The rear kitchen does add a little more caution in storage of cabinets and refer, but not much. In our 3 years out we had some minor issues, but just learned how to pack stuff up better. We like the rear kitchen cause it opens up the living room and makes for a pretty large area.

The stardard Excel suspension is a good one and therefore additional things to the suspension is not really necessary. You can do the upgraded Mor/Ryde if you want but it's pricey!

I do however recommend the disk brakes option without question. A must for me. Tom

[Bruce and Jenna]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rockintom:
The stardard Excel suspension is a good one and therefore additional things to the suspension is not really necessary. You can do the upgraded Mor/Ryde if you want but it's pricey!

Tom </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Linda,
Before I ordered our 33RSE, I called PI. Someone in their design dept told me that the standard suspension is more than adequate. They started offering MorRyde because customers wanted it, not based on need.